Natural Stone Styles

Shop smarter with this knowledge about natural stone styles.

Just like snowflakes, stars and people, no two natural stone floors are the same.
Each floor will exhibit its own unique coloring, veining and natural characteristics
such as hardness and porosity.

Each has it’s own style. A one-of-a-kind presence and personality.

If you’re shopping for flooring that is exciting and exclusive, beautiful
and individual, natural stone is a natural choice.

However, it can also be a difficult choice because of the multitude of types, styles
and finishes.

With a lot of information here and a little imagination on your part, you can begin
to see what type of natural stone best represents your style.

First, remember that in general, natural stone floor tile sizes are 12”x12”,
13”x13”, 16”x16”, and 18”x18 and larger.” Natural
stone is also available in mosaics which are comprised of pieces 3” or smaller
and are often attached to a mesh backing.

Next, you should be aware that there are two types of edges for natural stone floor
tile: a polished bull nose edge that has a rounded or curved appearance, or a polished
straight 90 degree edge that gives a more modern and clean look to your space.

To help you understand the types of natural stone, we’ve put this glossary
together.

Natural stone can be grouped into three classes.

Igneous rock is formed when molten rock (called
lava or magma) cools and hardens. Granite is an example of an igneous rock.

Sedimentary rock is formed from biological deposits
that have undergone consolidation and crystallization. Limestone and sandstone fall
into this category.

Metamorphic rock is created when other kinds of
rocks are changed by great heat and pressure inside the earth. Marble, slate and
quartzite are examples of metamorphic rocks.

Here are the names and definitions of some of the more popular natural stones:

Granite is an igneous stone that is extremely
hard, dense and resistant to scratches and acid etching. It is an ideal stone for
use in flooring and in food preparation areas. Hundreds of varieties of granite
exist.

Sandstone is a sedimentary stone that is primarily
composed of loose grains of quartz sand that are rough in texture. A number of varieties
are available.

Limestone is another sedimentary stone, it’s
formed from calcite and sediment and comes in many earthen colors.

Marble is a derivative of limestone. It is a metamorphic
stone that can be polished. Marble is characteristically soft and easily scratched
or etched by acids. There are countless types of marble from around the world.

Travertine is a crystallized, partially metamorphosed
limestone, which because of its structure, can be filled and honed and is dense
enough to be a type of marble.

Slate is a metamorphic stone that has a sheet-like
structure. It is composed of clay, quartz and shale, and comes in a multitude of
colors including reds and greens.

Agglomerate Stone is a manufactured stone made
from natural stone chips suspended in a binder such as cement, epoxy resins or polyester.

The most well known agglomerated stone is poured-in-place terrazzo, used in building
for thousands of years.

Today, some of the most popular manufactured stone products are quartz products.

These products offer the look of natural stone but are stain and scratch resistant,
offer consistency and strength, and are virtually maintenance free.

Now, let’s take an even closer look at some of the most popular natural stone
types available today, and provide you with some recommended applications.

For pure elegance, marble is the choice.

Marble has a legendary elegance. It was used throughout the ancient world because
it was soft enough to be worked with tools but hard enough to last through the ages.

Once considered the domain of the rich and famous, marble can be used in many applications
throughout your home.

Just what is marble you may ask? It’s a crystallized limestone that is not
as hard as granite.

Marble comes in many different color variations and usually displays a prominent
veining pattern with luxurious swirls and patches of contrasting color that make
marble famous. Sophisticated grays and whites to a wide range of earth tones in
both light and dark colors are the most popular.

Limestone

Coral, character and color come home with limestone.

Limestone has a more subtle, casual look and is actually a “young” marble.

It is created by the accumulation of organic materials such as shells and coral
that gives it a unique, natural look.

This more porous stone comes in a diverse range of neutral colors from ivory to
soft grays to golden browns.

This range of colors makes limestone a versatile design option for flooring and
walls.

Travertine

There’s a “hole” lot to know about Travertine.

A member of the limestone family, Travertine shares some similar characteristics
such as being soft and porous.

Travertine is formed with many small cavities and holes that can be filled in with
cement or resin, or left unfilled for a textured surface.

The surface is then polished creating a different looks from honed to highly polished.
The filled-in areas remain dull which creates an interesting contrast Travertine
can also be tumbled for a rustic, old world look.

Travertine can be used in flooring in numerous rooms in your home and can also make
for a wonderful backsplash. Again, the colors are generally earthy and warm and
are at home in both warm and cool environments.

Slate

Slate: intriguing indoors, outstanding outdoors.

Slate is a highly versatile stone that gives a natural, rustic and colorful appearance
to any room.

Slate can be used for interiors as well as exteriors, making it the perfect product
to bring the outdoors inside your home.

All slate has a natural “clefting” along the surface that gives this
stone its unique textural, layered look but is also available with a smooth surface.

This stone is made up of clay and shale, which is very dense.

Slate is water resistant, which also makes it ideal for exterior applications, such
as patios and pool surrounds.

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